In a quiet corner of Florida, a powerful and unsettling movement is taking root. It began in Venice, Sarasota County, fueled by opposition to pandemic lockdowns, and has blossomed into a complex alliance of wellness advocates, those deeply skeptical of vaccines, conservative Republicans, and parents grappling with frustration.
This isn’t simply a political disagreement; it’s a collision of beliefs, a simmering distrust of established institutions, and a yearning for something beyond conventional medicine. At the heart of it lies a potent blend of anti-government sentiment and deeply held, often mystical, convictions.
Brianna Ladapo, wife of Florida’s Surgeon General, embodies this convergence. Describing herself as a “spiritual healer,” she claims to receive guidance from angels and prophetic visions. She recently led a panel discussion, bringing together figures on the fringes of medical science and conspiracy theory.
The keynote speaker was William Makis, a doctor who lost his medical license years ago. Now, he dedicates himself to treating cancer patients with unproven drugs like ivermectin – a medication once touted by some as a COVID-19 cure. Despite clinical trials demonstrating its ineffectiveness, Makis frames its rejection as a deliberate act by pharmaceutical companies protecting profits.
Makis believes a vast conspiracy connects the virus, the vaccine, and the suppression of his preferred treatments. He alleges that “turbo cancers” are appearing in his patients, blaming impurities in mRNA vaccines for causing untold suffering and, he claims, millions of deaths.
Brianna Ladapo’s worldview extends beyond conventional medical debates. She believes the pandemic itself was orchestrated by “sinister forces” intent on stripping people of their freedom and handing power to a “tyrannical elite.” She insists the government actively conceals the risks associated with vaccination.
Her concerns aren’t limited to earthly powers. She speaks of “dark forces” at play, even pointing to “chemtrails” – condensation trails from airplanes – shaped like a pentagram appearing in the sky above her home. She believes these trails are making her and her children sick, a clear sign of malevolent intent.
Her husband, the Surgeon General, hasn’t publicly echoed all of her beliefs, but his actions are dramatically reshaping public health practices in Florida. He declared, “We’re done with fear,” and is actively pursuing policies that challenge decades of established medical consensus.
He’s advocating for a ban on mRNA vaccines and recently announced plans to eliminate childhood vaccination mandates. This shift is accompanied by a $60 million cancer research fund, potentially opening the door to supporting unproven therapies championed by figures like Makis.
The movement finds a physical home in a sprawling complex called The Hollow, founded by Vic Mellor, a local businessman with ties to controversial figures like retired Army Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn, a prominent voice in the Christian nationalist movement. The Hollow is a curious blend of family entertainment – playgrounds, zip lines, even an alligator-infested pond – and a hub for right-wing ideology.
We the People, Mellor’s business, offers vitamin shots but pointedly avoids vaccines. Instead, it focuses on treatments for alleged vaccine injuries. A broadcasting studio within the complex serves as a platform for conservative voices critical of liberals and the medical establishment.
Mellor himself was present at the January 6th Capitol riot, and his property now hosts events for “medical freedom” advocates, including Ladapo and Sherri Tenpenny, who once claimed vaccines could magnetize people. The Hollow has become a sanctuary for these ideas, a place where alternative beliefs are nurtured and amplified.
This shift in thinking has already impacted local governance. Three “medical freedom” candidates were recently elected to the board overseeing Sarasota’s public hospital, following protests over the hospital’s refusal to administer ivermectin to COVID-19 patients.
Dan Welch, a manager at The Hollow, embodies the skepticism driving this movement. He questions the original intent of vaccines, expressing concern over their ingredients and linking them to rising autism rates – a claim repeatedly debunked by scientific research.
This resistance to vaccination extends to the close-knit Mennonite community of Pinecraft, where many families choose not to vaccinate their children, relying instead on faith and a belief that God will protect them. Kristi Miller, a young mother, shares this conviction, fearing potential harm from vaccines and trusting in a higher power.
“I don’t live in fear,” she says, echoing the sentiment of the Ladapos. “I have a God who’s bigger than everything.” This powerful belief, combined with a growing distrust of authority, is fueling a movement that is reshaping the landscape of public health in Florida and beyond.
